Joel Sebunjo

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Born in 1984, Joel Sebunjo is an instrumentalist and singer from Uganda. Although unassuming and gentle in his nature, Joel makes for no ordinary musician.

Coming from a household of only doctors, Joel left Uganda for Senegal to explore his interest in African music. It is in West Africa where he found amongst other local instruments the Kora; a 21-string harp built from calabash and covered with cow skin. Although Joel plays several instruments, he is most well known today for his performance with the Kora. The musician explains he brought this western African instrument to eastern Uganda, to «marry the two cultures». And rightfully so, upon hearing him play, immediately the sounds of the west and the words of the east were unified into one powerful African sound; a sound that embodies liberation, empowerment and originality.

Inspired by Africa and life’s virtues, Joel has produced one album: ‘The Ghanda Man Crossroads’. Available online and for sale when on tour, Joel realizes his music is certainly not mainstream. Instead his music is of traditional African personality.

With a dream and mission larger than the size of his young body, Joel tells me he will perform at the celebrated Festival Au Desert in Mali in 2013. Incidentally this is where the famed singers Amadou and Miriam were scouted. Until then, his music can be found on Myspace.com.

L'Uomo Vogue, May-June 2012 (n. 431)

Photo by Francesco Carrozzini

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